Orthopedic appliance



June 12, 1956 F1 led Sept. 3, 195:5

J. B. LA MURDER ORTHOFEDIC APPLIANCE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENT OR J0]??? B. LaMorder ATTORNEY June 12, 1956 J. 5. LA MURDER 2,749,628

ORTHOPEDIC APPLIANCE Filed Sept. 3, 19515 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jalm B. Lam [order gQK W ATTORNEY United States Patent ORTHOPEDIC APPLIANCE John B. LaMorder, Brattleboro, Vt.

Application September 3, 1953, Serial No. 378,212

3 Claims. (Cl. 36-71) This invention relates to improvements in orthopedic appliances and more particularly to supports for the arches of the feet.

Many different types of arch supports have been proposed heretofore, some of which are constructed as pads adapted to conform to the under contour of the foot. These have not been satisfactory for various reasons. More particularly, some of these devices fail to conform to the outline of the longitudinal arch of the average human foot. In some instances, several pads are secured in side-by-side or spaced relation with or without some overlapping, but usually these have had abrupt tapered edges, often leaving the anterior portion of the long arch unsupported. In some instances, the supports are sufficiently spaced and are so abrupt in their nature that there would be pressure brought to bear only at isolated spots on the plantar surface of the average human foot. For these and other reasons, the devices proposed heretofore for supporting the arch and correcting the contour of the foot have not been entirely satisfactory.

Any human foot of average size and shape has a longitudinal arch which rises very sharply from the posterior point where the weight is carried on the heel until it reaches an apex at a point that is about one-third of the length of the longitudinal arch. From this point, it tapers very gradually to the first metatarsal head.

One object of this invention is to olfer support uniformly to the longitudinal metatarsal transverse and outer arches of the average human foot.

Another object of the invention is to massage the entire plantar surface of the foot from the metatarsal heads posterior through the heel.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a heel cushion in shock action directly under the main weight-bearing point at the heel center while encouraging proper foot function.

A still further object of the invention is to improve the construction of orthopedic devices of this character, to adapt them to manufacture at low cost so as to conform to average foot requirements and to effect proper support of all of the areas of the foot, particularly from the metatarsal heads through the heel plantar.

These objects may be accomplished by providing a layer or sheet of cushioning material of uniform thickness throughout the effective area of the appliance, such as may be formed of a section of foam, sponge or chlorophyll sponge rubber, that is soft and flexible. Secured to the undersurface of the basic section is a combination longitudinal and metatarsal arch raise, formed as a separte element or pad which may be made of similar material or other soft cushion material. This pad-like element tapers gradually to the posterior and to the outer side, and it is also curved or tapered toward a flanged inner side of the base and very sharply to the anterior portion of the appliance to form a metatarsal arch raise thereon. These parts may be secured together in any suitablemanner as by means of rubber cement or otherwise, and may be enclosed, if desired, in an envelope of fabric or other suitable material. The resulting device overcomes the objections to orthopedic devices of this character as proposed or used heretofore and has material advantages in service.

Certain embodiments of this appliance are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the appliance represented as one form thereof;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View thereof with the covering material removed;

Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar view on the line 4-4 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section substantially through the center of the appliance as shown in Fig. 2, omitting the covering material;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof at the inner edge;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the outer edge; and

Figs. 8 to 12 are bottom plan views of the appliance, with the covering material omitted, showing modifications of the arch raise or pad element.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 7, representing one embodiment of the invention, this orthopedic appliance comprises a basic section generally designated by the numeral 1, embodied as a layer or sheet of cushioning material such as foam, sponge or chlorophyll sponge rubber. If desired, a combination of such materials may be used for the appliance, one part being of one material and another part of another material.

This basic section 1 should be of uniform thickness throughout substantially the entire area thereof, although it may have slightly bevelled edges adapted to conform to the desired shape. The basic section or sheet I preferably is shaped in size to conform with the plantar surface of a foot from and including the heel thereof along the length of the foot to and including the metatarsal heads. It may extend throughout the length of the foot, if desired. This layer should be of substantial thickness of the order of one-quarter inch so as to act as a heel cushion in shock action directly under the main weight-bearing point at the heel center, as well as to cushion the entire or major portion of the plantar surface of the foot.

Mounted beneath the basic section of sheet 1 is an arch raise or pad generally designated at 2. This arch raise or pad 2 may be formed of the same material described above for the basic section 1 or of other suitable soft cushion material. It may be secured thereto by any suitable rubber cement which is preferably waterproof, or in other suitable manner. It should be made as a separate section to enable it to be fashioned according to the requirements for the orthopedic appliance while using uniform sections of the main layer or sheet 1.

The arch raise or pad 2 has a combination longitudinal and metatarsal arch support formed with a high point or apex, generally designated at 3 in Fig. 2, which is located in the longitudinal arch of the pad 2. The pad 2 tapers gradually in a longitudinal direction, and also gradually in a transverse direction from the apex 3 toward the outer side of the appliance, as indicated generally at 4 and 5 in Figs. 6 and 4, respectively. The thickness of the arch raise tapers sharply, preferably by curved or arcuate surfaces, generally indicated at 6, which curved edge portion 6 of abrupt curvature or short radius arc merges into a raised flanged portion on the basic section 1, as generally indicated at 7. Similarly, the undersurface of the arch raise or pad 2 is curved or abruptly formed or tapers at the anterior part thereof, indicated generally at 8, to form the metatarsal arch raise, especially at the forward end of the longitudinally raised portion that extends posten'or from the point 3 throughout the major portion of the length of the pad 2.

These parts may, if desired, be enclosed within a fabric covering, generally designated at 9, which may be of one or more parts and stitched along the edges of the appliance, as shown. Any suitable fabric or cloth, such as white canvas, may be used for this purpose, but it is preferable that it should not contain any dye. The entire device should be waterproof and washable, if formed in this manner.

The appliance constructed as described massages the entire plantar surface of the foot covered thereby, at least from the metatarsal heads posterior through the heel. It offers support to the longitudinal metatarsal transverse and outer arches. It acts as a heel cushion against shock directly under the main weight-bearing point at the heel center. It encourages proper functioning of the foot.

Not only does it conform smoothly and thoroughly with the entire plantar surface of the average human foot from the metatarsal heads through the heel, but it also performs some corrective function. It spreads the corrective and massaging pressure over a larger area than has beer possible heretofore with other appliances proposed for this purpose. It brings some pressure and relief to all areas of the foot covered thereby, from the metatarsal heads through the heel plantar.

This appliance does not result to any degree in being harmful in restricting articulation at the metatarsal joints. This is especially true where it extends only to the metatarsal heads, according to the illustrated embodiments, and it is preferred that it extend only to that portion of the foot so as to provide complete freedom of proper articulation at the metatarsal joints.

These functions of conforming to and massaging the entire plantar surface of the foot from the metatarsal heads through the heel is effected because of the correct graduation of the longitudinal and metatarsal arch raise 2. The foot gets some pressure and massaging action over the entire area covered thereby with gentle but added pressure for particular malfunctions and relief.

This longitudinal and metatarsal arch raise 2 may be varied in shape and disposition with respect to the basic section 1 according to different conditions to be accomplished thereby. Some of such different shapes are illustrated in Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, as examples thereof.

In the form shown in Fig. 8, the arch raise designated at 10 has the high point thereof indicated at 11. In this example, the arch raise is extended posterior under the heel to form an inner heel wedge. Inasmuch as the high point thereof is substantially midway of the length of the arch raise, the latter graduates sharply therefrom towards the flanged inner side and then very gradually to t a point indicated at 12, from which point it tapers sharply anterior to form the metatarsal arch raise as described above. This form would be used for a person with average to high longitudinal arch, when the ankle is in proper alignment, which person would have a degree of ankle inversion and foot in-roll. At the same time, it would provide the metatarsal and longitudinal arch areas as described above.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 9, the arch raise 13 extends in a longitudinal direction from a point 14 thereon Which represents the apex of this arch raise. From this point 14, it tapers sharply to the flanged inner side and gradually posterior, as well as anterior and to the outer side. This form would be used for a person with average to high longitudinal arch and with good ankle alignment to relieve aching feet from lack of proper fit.

In Fig. 10 is illustrated a combination outer and longitudinal arch raise 15, the apex of which extends transversely, generally as indicated at 16. From this transverse apex 16 the pad tapers gradually posterior and anterior and sharply toward the inner flanged side. Th s would be desirable for a person with an extremely high longitudinal arch which extends through the outer arch and otherwise has conditions similar to those described above in connection with Fig. 9.

In Fig. 11 the pad 17 forms an inner heel wedge and posterior arch raise combination which tapers sharply on the flanged part and gradually anterior and to the outer side, with an apex generally indicated at 18. This would be useful for the person with a low type longitudinal arch who has a degree of ankle inversion and/or foot in-roll.

In Fig. 12 is illustrated a metatarsal arch raise 19 for all five metatarsal heads, the apex of which extends both longitudinally and transversely thereof, as indicated generally at 20. From these longitudinal and transverse points it tapers sharply to the flanged inner side and anterior and then more gradually posterior, as described above.

All of these several forms provide the same combination longitudinal and metatarsal arch raise as described, performing the functions of conforming to the desired shape of the foot while massaging the entire plantar surface of the foot from the metatarsal heads through the heel. This result is obtained by the correct graduation of the pad or arch raise used in the appliance which produces some pressure and massaging all over the covered area thereof, providing effective added pressure for particular malfunctions or relief.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in certain embodiments, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claim.

I claim:

1. An orthopedic appliance comprising a sheet of resilient cushion material of substantially uniform thickness throughout the area thereof, said sheet having a peripheral shape and size to conform substantially to the contour of a foot from the heel end substantially to the metatarsal heads, and a pad separate from the sheet and secured to the bottom surface thereof and formed of resilient cushion material, said pad extending forwardly from a point adjacent the heel end of the sheet substantially to the metatarsal end of the sheet and laterally from the medial edge toward the lateral edge of the sheet, said pad having a thick portion substantially under the metatarsal shafts adjacent the inner edge of the pad and tapering downwardly therefrom to the surrounding margin of the pad, said sheet and pad having curved anterior edges substantially parallel with each other, and the sheet having the anterior end thereof tapered in thickness forming a continuation of the tapered edge of the pad.

2. An orthopedic appliance comprising a sheet of resilient cushion material of substantially uniform thickness throughout the area thereof, said sheet having a peripheral shape and size to conform substantially to the contour of a shoe and foot from the heel end substantially to the metatarsal heads, and a pad separate from the sheet and secured to the bottom surface thereof and formed of resilient cushion material, said pad extending forwardly from a point adjacent the heel end of the sheet with a heel seat portion of the sheet outside the confines of the pad, said pad extending substantially to the metatarsal end of the sheet and laterally from the medial edge toward the lateral edge of the sheet, said pad having a thick portion substantially under the metatarsal shafts adjacent the inner edge of the pad and tapering downwardly therefrom to the surrounding margin of the pad, said sheet and pad having curved anterior edges substantially parallel with each other, and the sheet having the anterior end thereof tapered in thickness forming a continuation of the tapered edge of the pad.

3. An orthopedic appliance comprising a sheet of resilient cushion material of substantially uniform thickness throughout the area thereof, said sheet having a peripheral shape and size to conform substantially to the contour of a shoe and foot from the heel end substantially to the metatarsal head, and a pad separate from the sheet and secured to the bottom surface thereof and formed of resilient cushion material, said pad extending forwardly from a point adjacent the heel end of the sheet with a heel seat portion of the sheet outside the confines of the pad, said pad extending substantially to the metatarsal end of the sheet and laterally from the medial edge toward and spaced from the lateral edge of the sheet, said pad having a thick portion substantially under the metatarsal shafts adjacent the inner edge of the pad and tapering downwardly therefrom to the surrounding margin of the pad, said sheet and pad having curved anterior edges substantially parallel with each other, and the sheet having the anterior end thereof tapered in thickness forming a continuation of the tapered edge of the pad, said sheet and pad having an upturned medial edge portion in the center of the longitudinal arch providing a massaging action to the instep of the foot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

